26 Crazy Emu Facts You Need to Know

Historically, Australian aboriginals hunted these birds as a source of food for decades. This species lives primarily in open regions where they can spot potential predators from afar. They also prefer regions with easy access to water, so they avoid deserts and desert edges. Their favorite habitats are grasslands, savannas, open subtropical forest, and more.

Common Emu

In fact, they are especially fond of farms because they usually have plenty of water for the birds to drink. In fact, the only bird that is taller is their relative, the ostrich. Despite their similarity to the ostrich, Emus are actually more closely related to cassowaries.

Furthermore, human agriculture in the Australian Outback may have contributed to an increase in the emu population because humans watering holes for sheep and cattle are also used by emus. There are also many emu farms where the birds are raised for their meat, leather and oil. Commercial emu farming started in Western Australia in 1987, and the first slaughtering occurred in 1990 (O’Malley 1998).

Emu populations vary from decade to decade depending on rainfall. Some isolated populations in New South Wales are listed as Endangered due to collisions with vehicles, loss of habitat and the increase of feral dogs and pigs. They also require stones and pebbles to assist the digestion of plant material. They migrate on foot on journeys as far as 500 kilometres or more to find abundant feeding areas. During mating season, the female’s neck turns blue, indicating her readiness for courtship. First, the male builds a rather basic nest consisting of a slight hollow in the ground lined with trampled bark, grass, sticks and leaves.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

At least in Britain, the closest most people ever got to an emu was a mischievous toy bird with a man’s hand up it. But there’s so much more to these animals than is commonly known. Emus are notable for their large size and unique physical characteristics. They stand about 5.7 to 6.2 feet (1.75 to 1.9 meters) tall and weigh between 66 to 100 pounds (30 to 45 kilograms).

• The role of the male in parenting is one of the most notable aspects of the emu’s reproductive behavior, showcasing a fascinating example of paternal care in the bird world.
• Some local declines occur from land clearing and vehicle collisions, but the species remains secure.
• In his original 1816 description of the emu, Vieillot used two generic names; first Dromiceius, then Dromaius a few pages later.
• The chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within a few days of hatching.

As a result, the emu can usually exhaust its predator before the predator can catch up with it. The male parent emu cares for his chicks for up to 18 months, and most survive to adulthood. Emu chicks follow their father everywhere, whistling softly to each other and eating tender plant shoots. The whistling becomes louder and high-pitched if they feel threatened or lose sight of their father.

No, emus are flightless birds, but they are excellent runners. Emus have a unique breeding pattern, with the breeding season typically occurring in the cooler months. The female lays eggs in a simple nest on the ground, and the male then takes over the incubation duties, sitting on the eggs for about eight weeks without eating, drinking, or defecating.

Learn More About Australia’s Incredibly Quirky Animals

This article explores the fascinating world of the emu, from its evolutionary history to its behavior, diet, and conservation status. As we delve into the life of this majestic bird, we uncover the secrets behind its survival in diverse and often harsh Australian landscapes. Their calls consist of loud booming, drumming, and grunting sounds that can be heard up to two kilometers away.

Emu and Human Interaction

• Emus are farmed for their oil, leather and meat, however, emus are common birds with an estimated population of around 725,000.
• This species is quite large, with long legs, relatively small wings, and long necks.
• When food is plentiful, emus store large amounts of fat in their bodies.
• It was then used by other European explorers, such as the Dutch, to describe the bird we know today as the Emu.
• Currently their populations are healthy, and the IUCN lists Emus as Least Concern.

Emus have brown to gray-brown, soft-feathered plumage of shaggy appearance. A unique feature of the emu feather is its double rachis emerging from a single shaft. Solar radiation is absorbed by the tips, and the loose-packed inner plumage insulates the skin. The resultant heat is prevented from flowing to the skin by the insulation provided by the coat (Maloney and Dawson 1995), allowing the bird to be active during the heat of the day.

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In classic human fashion, the colonists set up shop uninvited among the native habitats and then got upset by the natives being there. During this time, while he will defend the young birds, the male is also tolerant of other lost chicks joining his flock. Males do both, and in exchange, he has access to multiple hens, who, between them, will compile a clutch of up to 25 emu eggs that the male will then incubate. It was thought that the ratites may have evolved from a common ancestor on the incredible supercontinent Gondwana, and diverged as various continental plates separated over the aeons. Another more likely hypothesis is that their ancestors flew to their respective islands and then lost their ability to fly when they discovered there were no predators to escape. Domestic emus are playful, mischievous birds that have a specific kind of excited wiggle that they do when they’re enjoying themselves.

Animal Names Glossary

Snakes and other nest-raiders devour emu eggs, but they’re not the only ones. One emu egg can make an omelet big enough to feed four to six adults. Emus are omnivores and eat plants, seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals. The nesting behavior of emus also helps protect the eggs and young. Males incubate the eggs and are fiercely protective, using camouflage and aggression to defend the nest from potential threats.

When food is plentiful, emus store large amounts of fat in their bodies. They use this fat reserve to survive in hard times, and while the male emu is incubating eggs, during which time it does not eat or drink but lives on its fat reserve instead. Despite drinking infrequently, emus can consume up to 18 litres of water when available. This high water requirement in very hot weather is necessary because they use cutaneous evaporation and panting to prevent overheating. Emus form breeding pairs during the summer months of December and January, and may remain together for financial plan meaning about five months.

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Emus are omnivores, which means that they feed on both plant and animal matter. They forage for seeds, berries, fresh grasses, and fruits, but usually do not eat leaves. These birds also hunt for a variety of small creatures, like grubs, spiders, beetles, grasshoppers, millipedes, caterpillars, and more. During breeding season, males build nests and incubate clutches of up to a dozen large green eggs.